omari wiles Archives

Six dancers in a kinetic cluster on a dark stage. One dancer is caught midair, a hand on another's back and other hand held by another, who takes a wide stance. Two of the dancers wear silvery corsets over bare chests; the others wear black biketards.

News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in February 2025

Here are the latest promotions, appointments, and departures, as well as notable awards and accomplishments, from February 2025.

Courtney Escoyne February 28th, 2025

A collage of two photos. On the left, Marie Basse-Wiles, wearing a bright yellow costume and headscarf, is caught mid-movement, her right arm and foot raised, smiling exultantly. On the right, Omari Wiles, wearing a silver and black sequined ensemble and a black fedora, is pictured onstage, looking down majestically at a cheering crowd, with his elbows bent slightly and his hands falling elegantly from his wrists.

Choreographer Omari Wiles on Collaborating With His Mom, Dance Luminary Marie Basse-Wiles

As the founder of Les Ballet Afrik and one of the choreographers behind the recent CATS reimagining, The Jellicle Ball, Omari Wiles has become a fixture of New York City’s dance scene, known for mixing house and vogue styles with African dance. Wiles’ mother, Marie Basse-Wiles, is also a New York legend: A pillar of […]

Cara Hagan January 7th, 2025

Four men dressed all in black pose against a magenta backdrop. Omari Wiles balances on one leg as his cape flies up behind him, while Arturo Lyons leans into him, one knee bent and the other leg extended long in front. Bill Rauch, the only white man in the group, smiles a little as he brings a hand to the side of his face. To his left, Zhailon Levingston looks seriously at the camera, adjusting his black rimmed glasses with one hand.

Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles Walk Us Through Choreographing The Jellicle Ball, a Cats Set in the World of Ballroom Culture

The gist of the new musical “The Jellicle Ball” makes so much sense it seems inevitable in retrospect: a reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enduring Broadway hit “Cats,” in the world of vogue dance and ballroom culture, à la “Paris Is Burning” and “Pose.”

Zachary Whittenburg June 11th, 2024

Two dancers face upstage, leaning off balance to their left. One outstretches their arms straight side, pulling toward their left hip. To their left, a dancer facing them rocks onto their back foot, shoulders up as they avoid the other dancer's extended hand.

5 Performance Happenings to Kick Off the New Year

A pair of festivals, a pair of premieres, and a rare North American tour—the performances in this month’s lineup are well worth braving the cold weather to see.

Courtney Escoyne January 4th, 2024

Lizzie Trip lunges to the side, an elbow bending to touch her bent knee. We see her from the wings, her back to the audience and face to the audience. White fluff litters the floor of the stage all around. Lizzie is barefoot, wearing a tight black and blue biketard, red hair neatly slicked back from her face.

News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in August 2023

Here are the latest promotions, appointments, and departures, as well as notable awards and accomplishments, from August 2023.

Courtney Escoyne September 1st, 2023

a male dancer kneeling down in the middle of the street

3 Tips for Moving Seamlessly Between Different Dynamics

No matter which dance style you specialize in, taking the time to hone movement dynamics can bolster your artistry, enhance your choreography, and help your dancing stand out.

Sophie Bress July 14th, 2023

4 Performances You Can Watch From Your Couch This Month, Plus One Happening in Person

It’s a new year, and while things are far from business as usual, we’re still marking our calendars with all the great dance we’re eager to see—even if that means queuing it up on our laptops rather than sitting down in theaters. Here are four shows that caught our interest this month. Animating Faye Driscoll […]

Courtney Escoyne January 7th, 2021